What Harry Styles's Solo Album Cover Art Means

Harry Styles is certainly a man of mystery. Last week, the One Direction singer took to social media to share details about his upcoming solo album, setting in motion a lot of speculation about song titles and lyric meanings. Even the cover of his album has been subject to analysis, as it features the damp back and shoulders of a shirtless Harry, as he shields his face with his hands. Naturally, fans have been wondering: could there be a hidden meaning behind the album artwork as well?

According to Billboard, that answer is yes. They posit that both the water and the positioning of Harry's body point to themes of vulnerability and reflection, adding that the fact that he is covering his face could symbolize the idea of "rebirth." It makes sense, when you consider that Harry is embarking on a new journey as a solo artist, stepping away from his image as one-fifth of One Direction.

But there are other theories. W Magazine seems to think we should pay attention to the color of the image: millennial pink, while some fans have zeroed in on the lotus flower depicted on Harry's chain. Like the gesture of covering one's face, the lotus flower often represents rebirth and purity, reinforcing the idea that Harry's independent path is one of rediscovery and self-awareness. It's clear that there's a lot of possibilities, but we have just a few weeks until we can listen to his album to find out for sure. Until then, let the theorizing commence.